Don’t feel like reading? Listen to the blog post instead:
Or continue reading below:
Building a personal brand online is tricky. There’s this weird pressure to share everything – like if you’re not documenting your entire day for content or sharing personal info you’re not really comfortable with, you’re somehow doing it wrong.
I’ve felt that pressure. The idea that being “real” online means sharing every little detail of your life. But honestly?
I never bought into the idea that you have to put your whole life out there for everyone to see. Having a personal brand doesn’t mean you need to sacrifice your privacy.
But figuring out what to share and what to keep to yourself isn’t always easy, especially if you’re an open book. That’s why I use some questions to help me decide what to post. They help me avoid oversharing online. Here are the four main ones:
1. Am I sharing this for the right reasons?
I’ve made it a rule not to be vulnerable just for likes or engagement. Which is why I like to ask myself why am I really sharing this?
Is it because I genuinely want to, or am I just feeling the pressure from other people being vulnerable online?
This question helps me check my motivations. Sometimes we get caught up in the hype of what everyone else is doing online, but that doesn’t mean it’s right for us. It’s easy to fall into the trap of sharing just because we think we should.
2. Will I regret this tomorrow or a year from now?
I try to project into the future and imagine how I’d feel if this post was still floating around a year from now. If I feel like I might genuinely regret a post then I don’t share it.
This one’s crucial because the internet has a long memory. What seems like a good idea today might not feel so great down the line. It’s worth taking a moment to consider the long-term impact of what we’re putting out there.
3. Is this something I still need to process before sharing it with my audience?
Sometimes I catch myself trying to process personal stuff online, and in those moments I have to ask if social media is really the best place for that.
Now this is the one I struggle with the most, cause I am an open book but I try to give myself time to reflect by asking if I’ve sat with this thought, feeling, or experience for a while before deciding to share it with people online.
It’s tempting to use our audience as a sounding board, but sometimes we need to work through things on our own first.
4. Am I in the right headspace to handle all types of reactions?
Assessing if I’m in the right headspace for reactions involves considering whether I can handle potential criticism or negative comments right now.
I check if I’m sharing from a place of emotional stability, or if I’m feeling particularly vulnerable.
I usually avoid sharing something if I’m feeling too vulnerable or I’m simply hoping everyone will agree with me and I can’t handle people disagreeing with me.
By asking myself all these questions, I’ve found a balance between being authentic online and maintaining healthy boundaries.
Remember, you don’t owe anyone your deepest, darkest secrets just because you’re building a personal brand.
It’s okay to keep some things private while still connecting on a genuine level with your audience.
Your online presence should feel authentic to you, not like you’re constantly performing or oversharing just to keep up with what everyone else is doing. It’s your brand, after all. You get to decide what that looks like.
And sometimes, deciding what that looks like means saying no to the pressure to share everything. It be might trusting your gut when something feels off when it comes to posting certain things.
In the end, it’s about finding what works for you. Some people are comfortable sharing more, others less.
The key is to be intentional about what you put out there and to make sure it aligns with your overall goals and values. That’s how you build a personal brand that feels right for you.
And if you liked this post, don’t forget to share it by clicking on one of the social media buttons below!